Indictments were recently handed down against a Greater Manchester Police officer assigned to the serious crime department on various charges, including possessing firearms and distributing class A substances, including stealing 3.9kg of cocaine evidence from the police division.
The Findlay Street, Leigh, father of two (aged 53) has been charged with two counts of cocaine possession, one count of ammunition possession without a certificate, three counts of misconduct in public office, three counts of unauthorized access to police systems, and one count of failing to comply with a notice made under section 49 of the Regulation Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
His hearing at Liverpool Crown Court was stayed until this month because he refused to enter a plea. The Wigan man, a father of two, has been put on indefinite leave.
The cop is charged with theft, intent to distribute class A drugs, malfeasance in public office on three separate counts, and accessing police systems without authorization on three different counts. He is also charged with ammunition possession and disregarding a section 49 Regulation Investigatory Powers Act notification.
He was not asked to enter a plea in connection with any of the claims. Charges have been approved following an investigation by GMP’s anti-corruption section into alleged incidents between 2017 and 2021.
According to GMP, PC Talbot was investigated and arrested in the same month (February) of 2020. Constable Talbot and co-defendant Keith Bretherton appeared in court.
The charges against Mr. Bretherton, 49, include conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, possessing class A drugs, and possessing class B drugs. He lives in the Boxhill Drive neighborhood of Wigan. Both Mr. Brereton and PC Talbot were exempt from entering a plea to the charges against them.
District Judge Hatton released both offenders on bail, and their next court date is October 19 at Liverpool Crown Court.
